Free With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4 by J.L. Langley Page B

a lack of privacy or something? Or maybe it
    was a wolf-camaraderie thing. Having never been away from home, Matt hadn’t encountered others who
    weren’t pack other than Aubrey, but they were mates and that didn’t count.
    “Seriously, Matt, I’d love to get the chance to know you better. Call me. We can just hang out.”
    “Uh, okay.”
    Jordan turned to go but stopped. “Call me tomorrow before lunch, and we’ll meet up?”
    “Sure.” As Jordan walked off, Matt put the helmet on and straddled the Duc.
    As luck would have it, or rather bad luck would have it, his phone chimed before he could stuff it in
    his pocket. He thought about putting it away but pulled it up into view instead.
    dont ignore me, matthew, its rude! what gives?
    He squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds and typed in ive been stopped up. allergies i guess. Matt squelched down the guilt bubbling up inside making his stomach hurt. He’d never lied to Logan before. He started the engine, trying to convince himself it was for the best.

    “Boskie, Boskie, Boskie…” Aubrey shook his head and swiveled his chair around to look out the
    window. He had no idea how to deal with this situation. And even if he did, at this point there wasn’t
    anything he could do short of calling Boskie and telling him to back off.
    Aubrey spun around to his laptop. Carson’s smiling face stared back at him. Carson’s personnel file
    was spotless, and Boskie hadn’t made good on his threat because Carson was still employed. Likely if
    Boskie even hinted at firing Carson, it would raise questions. All Carson’s yearly reviews were exemplary.
    He’d gotten a raise every year he’d been with Reynolds Inc. His boss described him as hardworking,
    innovative and intelligent. There were no two ways about it, Carson was a real asset to the company.
    Running his hands through his hair, Aubrey sat back. Maybe this mess will just blow over on its own.

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    45
    J.L. Langley
    The familiar scent of jasmine wafted through the air followed by, “Knock, knock.”
    He glanced up as his mother swept into his office. “What’re you doing here?” Smiling, he bolted out
    of his seat and around his desk to meet her at the door. He hadn’t seen or heard from her since the last full moon.
    A variety of shopping bags rustled from around her wrists, but it didn’t stop her from throwing her
    arms around him and going up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “We came to see if you wanted to have
    lunch with us.”
    “Dad’s here?”
    Right on cue, his dad staggered in, weighted down with even more shopping bags. “Hi, son.” Dad
    gave him a goofy grin, set his armload on one of the chairs in front of Aubrey’s desk, then took Mom’s place squeezing the breath out of him and pounding him on the back. “You hungry?” He stepped back from
    the embrace, looking Aubrey over.
    Aubrey nodded and checked his watch. 11:48 a.m. “Sure, I could eat. To what do I owe this honor? I
    know it wasn’t to see me.”
    Mom had piled her purchases on top of Dad’s in the chair. “Who says?” His mom chuckled and
    pinched his cheek. “Can’t we come eat lunch with our oldest son?”
    “Of course you can, but isn’t four hours an awful long drive for a meal and my company?” He pointed
    at the contents of the chair. “And what’s all this? You bringing me gifts too?”
    Mom chuckled again. “This is for our trip. I needed an evening gown.”
    “That’s a hell of an evening gown if it takes that many bags to carry it.” Aubrey smirked. Some things
    didn’t change. His mother couldn’t buy just one of anything.
    “She needed new shoes, jewelry and a purse to go with the new dress. Oh and a new suit, tie, shoes
    and cufflinks for me so I’d match. Then we both needed whole new casual wardrobes because the new
    eveningwear made our old stuff look shabby.” Dad put his hands on Mom’s shoulders and pulled her in
    front of him. He shook her and pretended to